The Constitution delegates only a “few defined powers” to the federal government, all other powers to be retained by the States (people). These powers are the “enumerated powers” actually listed in the Constitution concerning the military, defense, international commerce and relations; control of immigration and naturalization, creation of a uniform commercial system – weights and measures, patents, money, etc.; and some of the Amendments also protect certain civil rights and voting rights.
It is only with respect to these “enumerated powers” that the federal government has lawful authority over the Country at large.
With that in mind, consider the “Parental Rights Amendment” promoted as a new constitutional amendment that will supposedly protect parental rights. Those on the left argue that this is a “religious” attempt to push for school vouchers, along with the normal N.E.A. and left rants. Those on the right argue this amendment is needed to protect parents from federal intrusion, especially if the Senate passes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child treaty.
When you consider Obama’s rather odd speech in Ireland, and the Justice Department’s argument against granting asylum to a German couple who refused to cave to German authorities that insisted the parents send their children to state sponsored indoctrination, a Parental Rights Amendment to the Constitution doesn’t sound too bad. That is, until you consider that a PRA amendment would actually give the federal government an “enumerated right” over parents and children and the right to define what actual parental rights entail through new rules, regulations and laws.
Parental rights are already protected by existing amendments to the Constitution, including the ninth amendment which states, “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to
deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
Our parental rights exist prior to and independent of anything done by the government so a parental rights amendment is unnecessary. Parental rights are natural God given rights that will be weakened if parents ask the government to validate or protect them.
For a complete breakdown on the proposed Amendment go to this link.
A better way for parents to protect their rights is to get involved in the election process, work for candidates that promote family and traditional values, visit your child’s school, and voice your opinions on the leftist agenda being used to indoctrinate our children.
